Livorno vs Sassuolo preview - Di Carlo targets turning point

Posted Saturday, January 25, 2014 by PA

New Livorno coach Mimmo Di Carlo has told his players of the need to grind out results to ensure Serie A survival ahead of Sunday's home match against Sassuolo.

Di Carlo was appointed this week as Livorno's third coach this season and the former Chievo tactician hopes this weekend will mark a turning point for the Tuscan outfit.

"I see the team very motivated and willing to bounce back after a slow start to the season and determined to defend its Serie A status," Di Carlo said. "I will try to bring my ideas.

"We need to do a good job without making mistakes in terms of the way we approach games.

"We have to show character, hunger and enthusiasm and find a battling spirit in order to achieve our aim."

Di Carlo replaced Attilio Perotti, who was released from his duties after just one game in charge, last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Roma.

He inherits a team that has lost its last five league games and sits 19th in the standings, with 13 points from 20 games.

"We have to take it one game at a time, focusing on ourselves and not on others," Di Carlo said.

"We will have to fight for 90 minutes.

"The club knows we need reinforcements and they are working on it."

Livorno strengthened their defensive line with the signing of Paolo Castellini from Sampdoria this week.

Castellini is set to make his Livorno debut on Sunday.

Rivals Sassuolo travel to Tuscany looking to bounce back from last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Torino.

Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco was fuming after his side failed to show the same determination that had seen them beat AC Milan 4-3 earlier this month.

"I am hugely disappointed with this defeat," he said. "We didn't show that fighting spirit that helped us beat Milan in the previous round.

"We need to understand that if we want to win games we have to give our best always, regardless of who we face.

"I expect a different performance at Livorno."

Sassuolo are 18th in the standings but level on 17 points with Chievo, who are 16th.